A–C | D–Z

General

MIND
Granta House
15–19 Broadway
London E15 4BQ
MINDinfoLine: 08457 660 163 (Mondays to Fridays 9.15am-4.15pm)
E-mail: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
A Mental health charity covering England and Wales. Works towards a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Aim to advance the views, needs and ambitions of people with experience of mental distress, and promote inclusion by challenging discrimination. Has a network of over 200 local Mind associations.

Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
Cumbrae House
15 Carlton Court
Glasgow G5 9JP
Tel: 0141 568 7000 (Mondays to Fridays 2pm-4.30pm)
E-mail: enquire@samh.org.uk
Website: info@samh.org.uk
Offers information and advice on mental health issues. Publishes helpful books and leaflets.

Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH)
80 University Street
Belfast BT7 1HE
Tel: 028 9032 8474
Offers general advice on mental health matters and details of local services, including self-help groups.

Young Minds
102–108 Clerkenwell Road
London EC1M 5SA
Tel: 020 7336 8445 (Just for info and publications)
Parents' Information Service 0800 018 2138 (Mondays and Fridays 10am-1pm,
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
National charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people. Services include the Parents' Information Service, a free confidential helpline for any adult with concerns information about the mental health of a child or young person. YoungMinds also offers consultancy, seminars and training, leaflets and booklets for young people and publishes a bi-monthly magazine.

SANE
1st Floor
Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London E1 1EE
Tel: 020 7375 1002
Helpline: 08457 678 000 (daily 12noon-2am)
E-mail: info@sane.org.ukinfo@sane.org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
SANELINE is a national mental health helpline providing information and support for people with mental health problems and those who support them. They can provide information on illnesses and symptoms, local and national mental health services, medication, treatments and therapies.

ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11 (24 hours)
or write to:
Freepost 1111
London N1 0BR
General enquiries: 020 7239 1000 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5.30pm)
or write to:
Royal Mail Buildings
Studd St
London N1 OBR
Website: www.childline.org.uk
UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children and young people in danger and distress. Trained volunteer counsellors provide comfort, advice and protection. Lines can be busy so please try again if you don't get through the first time.

The Samaritans
PO Box 9090
Stirling FK8 2SA
Tel: 08457 90 90 90 (24-hour local-call helpline)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
If you feel desperate and need support, you can talk to or e-mail a Samaritan volunteer in confidence at any time of day or night.

Penumbra Youth Project – Scotland
38 Gala Park
Galashiels
Scottish Borders TD1 1EU
Tel: 01896 751 177
Website: www.penumbra.org.uk
Community-based mental health project in the Scottish Borders for 16- to 25-year-olds. Offers supported accommodation, life-skills training and help with eating problems, sexual abuse, self-harm and bereavement.

National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux
www.nacab.org.uk
Offers free, confidential and independent advice on issues including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, and immigration. Details of local CAB's can be found on the website or in your local telephone directory.

Citizen's Advice Scotland
www.cas.org.uk

Northern Ireland Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux
www.niacab.org

Alcohol

Drinkline
Freephone Helpline: 0800 917 82 82 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-11pm, and weekends 6-11pm)
A Government-sponsored helpline offering help and advice if you are worried about your own drinking or someone else's. Can provide details of local alcohol services.

Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
61 Great Dover Street
London SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888 (Every day 10am-10pm)
Website: www.hexnet.co.uk/alanon
A confidential helpline offering understanding and support for the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the person is still drinking or not. Website has details of local Al-Anon groups. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else's drinking, usually that of a parent.

Anxiety

For anxiety, panic attacks, phobias and obsessions:

First Steps to Freedom
7 Avon Court
School Lane
Kenilworth CV8 2GX
Helpline: 01926 851 608 (Every day 10am-10pm)
E-mail: firststepstofreedom@compuserve.com
Website: www.firststeps.demon.co.uk
A confidential helpline available 365 days a year for sufferers and carers to talk over their anxiety problems with trained volunteers. Provides help to people suffering from general anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, anorexia and bulimia. Offers counselling, listening, advice, support and information.

No Panic
33 Brands Farm Way
Randley
Telford TF3 2JQ
Freephone: 0808 808 0545 (Every day 10am-10pm)
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
Supports people suffering from panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders and other related anxiety disorders, and supports their families and carers. Provides advice, counselling, listening, befriending and can make referrals. Runs local self-help groups and produces a range of leaflets, information, audio and video cassettes.

Obsessive Action
Aberdeen Centre
22–24 Highbury Grove
London N5 2EA
Tel: 020 7226 4000 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am-5pm, Thursdays 9am-12.30pm. Answerphone available)
E-mail: admin@obsessive-action.demon.co.uk
Website: www.obsessive-action.demon.co.uk
Telephone advice and information for people experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder or related disorders, their families, friends and interested professionals. Can provide details of local support groups. For more information and a free leaflet about obsessive compulsive disorders, please write to Obsessive Action.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service
PO Box 340
Edgware
Middlesex HA8 9HL
Tel: 020 8906 9068 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5pm)
E-mail: adddiss@compuserve.com
Website: www.addiss.co.uk
Information and resources on ADHD available to parents, sufferers, teachers and health professionals. Support a range of assessment methods and treatment, encouraging families to find their own most appropriate method of information. Helpline and email service are available for queries.

www.adders.org
For a comprehensive list of support groups throughout the UK, together with links to education resources, research and more check out the adders.org site.
Email: simon@adders.org
Website: www.adders.org

Contact-a-Family
209-211 City Road
London EC1V 1JN
Helpline: 0808 808 3555 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-4pm)
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Runs a free confidential helpline. Gives information and support to anyone who cares for a child with a disability or special need. Can put parents in touch with support groups.

Bereavement

Compassionate Friends
53 North Street
Bristol BS3 1EN
Helpline: 0117 953 9639 (Everyday 10am-10.30pm)
E-mail: info@tcf.org.uk
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Offer understanding, support and friendship to bereaved parents, and their families, who have lost a child of any age and from any circumstance. Support is offered through the helpline, local group meetings, one-to-one visits, letter contact, weekend retreats and gatherings. The Compassionate friends also produce a quarterly newsletter for parents, grandparents and siblings, a range of other publications for the family and for professionals, and run a postal library service.

Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline: 0870 167 1677 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm)
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/
Provides advice and support for bereaved people of any age. Has a network of local branches and publications.


Bullying

The Anti-bullying Campaign
185 Tower Bridge Road
London SE1 2UF
Tel: 020 7378 1446 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-4pm)
E-mail: help@bullying.co.uk
Website: www.anti-bullying.co.uk
Telephone helpline offering support and advice for parents whose children have been bullied at school. Offers advice on how to support children, what steps to take with the school and within the education system. Provides training for teachers and pupils.

Kidscape
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W ODH
Tel: 020 7730 3300 or 08451 205204 (local rate) (Mondays to Fridays 10am to 4pm)
Website: www.kidscape.org.uk
Kidscape is a charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or any kind of abuse, including bullying. Provide telephone advice to parents with concerns about school bullying. Free booklets and leaflets for parents and children on child safety and the prevention of bullying are available on the website or can be obtained by sending a large stamped addressed envelope to the above address.

Child abuse

Kidscape
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W ODH
Tel: 020 7730 3300 or 08451 205204 (local rate) (Mondays to Fridays 10am to 4pm)
Website: www.kidscape.org.uk
Kidscape is a charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or any kind of abuse, including bullying. Provide telephone advice to parents with concerns about school bullying. Free booklets and leaflets for parents and children on child safety and the prevention of bullying are available on the website or can be obtained by sending a large stamped addressed envelope to the above address.

NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
Freephone helpline: 0808 800 5000 (24 hours)
Asian Child Protection Helpline: 0800 096 7719 (Mondays to Fridays 11am - 7pm) (English speaking line - Asian languages are also available)
Textphone: 0800 056 0566
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
The NSPCC Child Protection Helpline is there for anyone concerned about at child at risk of abuse, including children themselves. The helpline is also available for people who are concerned about their own behaviour towards children. Provides counselling, information and advice. Lines can be busy but please persist. Information is also available on their website.

For Scotland, phone your nearest RSSPCC (Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) office during working hours.

Children 1st
41 Polwarth Terrace
Edinburgh EH11 1NU
ParentLine Scotland: 0808 800 2222 (Mondays and Fridays 10am - 4pm, Wednesdays 10am - 4pm and 6pm - 9pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3pm - 9pm).
Website: www.children1st.org.uk
One of Scotland's leading childcare charities. Supports families under stress, protects children from harm and neglect, helps children recover from abuse, and promotes children's rights and interests. Run a free, confidential, telephone helpline for parents and anyone caring for a child in Scotland.

ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11 (24 hours)
or write to:
Freepost 1111
London N1 0BR
General enquiries: 020 7239 1000 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5.30pm)
or write to:
Royal Mail Buildings
Studd St
London N1 OBR
Website: www.childline.org.uk
UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children and young people in danger and distress. Trained volunteer counsellors provide comfort, advice and protection. Lines can be busy so please try again if you don't get through the first time.

Compulsory detention

Mental Health Act Commission (MHAC)
Maid Marian House
56 Hounds Gate,
Nottingham NG1 6BG
Tel: 0115 943 7100
Website: www.mhac.trent.nhs.uk
If you are or have been detained under the Mental Health Act and have a complaint about your care or treatment while detained that cannot be sorted out through the usual channels, contact the MHAC.

Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (MWCS)
3 Lady Lawson Street
Edinburgh EH3 9SH
Tel: 0131 222 6111
Website: www.mwcscot.org.uk
Provides help for detained or voluntary patients with a complaint about care or treatment that cannot be sorted out through the usual channels. Helps to safeguard your rights and can also provide general information on mental health matters or point you in the right direction.

Northern Ireland Ombudsman
33 Wellington Place
Belfast BT1 6HN
Freephone Tel: 0800 34 34 24
Website: www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk
If you are dissatisfied with care or treatment of a mental health problem and have been unsuccessful in pursuing a complaint through the normal channels, you can approach the Commissioner for Complaints in writing or through the freephone.

Counselling and other therapies

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
167–169 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5PF
Tel: 020 7436 3002 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-5.30pm)
E-mail: ukcp@psychotherapy.org.uk
Website: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Maintains a voluntary register of approximately 5000 properly qualified professional psychotherapists. Free regional listings available to general public, as well as information on different types of psychotherapy.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
1 Regent Place
Rugby CV21 2PJ
Information line: 0870 443 5252 (Mondays to Fridays 8.45am-5pm)
E-mail: bac@bac.co.uk
Website: www.counselling.co.uk
The BACP can provide you with a list of private counsellors in your area, plus information on counselling and choosing a counsellor. Please telephone or send an SAE to the above address. Alternatively, you can search for a counsellor at the website which, along with an online directory of counsellors, contains details concerning membership, training and an extensive publications list.

Westminster Pastoral Foundation
23 Kensington Square
London W8 5HN
Tel: 020 7361 4800
Website: www.wpf.org.uk
Provides general counselling and psychotherapy services, psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy training. Have counsellors who specialise in work with Group Psychotherapy and Time-Limited Therapy.

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